(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, 19 APR - The EU's enlargement
commissioner, Marta Kos, called on Saturday all sides in Serbia
to "refrain from further tensions" as months-long student-led
protests against corruption were held in the country. The
student-led protest movement began after a fatal roof collapse
at Novi Sad train station on November 1, 2024, which killed 16
people.
"I am following closely the situation in Serbia and call upon
everyone to refrain from further tensions," Kos wrote on X. "To
exit the political impasse and divisions in society, Serbia
should step up efforts to fight corruption and advance rule of
law reforms," she said. University students supported by
citizens as well as by the leadership of some universities have
since Tuesday been blocking the state-owned broadcasters Radio
Television Serbia (RTS) in Belgrade and Radio Television of
Vojvodina (RTV) in Novi Sad. They accused the national
broadcasters of ignoring their protests, demanded
public-interest reporting, and called for a transparent election
of members of media regulatory body. Kos also expressed concerns
that "criminal charges are being sought against the Rector of
Belgrade University". The rector, Vladan Djokic, who has
supported the students, was called in by police last week in
Belgrade. (ANSA-AFP).
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